ABSTRACT Based on the Design of Trade Agreement database, which includes almost all free trade agreements (FTAs) after World War II, this article presents a comprehensive analysis of the development of FTAs. With the increased number of FTAs, more and more clauses in the agreements are focusing on non-tariff trade barriers and the coordination of cross-border measures. This article tests FTAs' effect on trade. The signing and deepening of FTAs has increased foreign trade, especially in the long run. Furthermore, FTAs have a slightly more significant positive effect on imports than they do on exports.


. The paper describes methods of protection against reverse engineering of logic circuits of pseudo-random number generators (PRNG) on linear and non-linear feedback shift registers. These methods are based on the use of additional logic elements in the structure of the generator to hide its original functionality. Obfuscation of the generator logic circuit changes its design such that the device works correctly only if the signals at the additional key inputs of the generator take on the correct values. It is shown that even with a small bit capacity of generators, it is possible to provide a huge number of PRNG implementations with different numbers of states and different properties. The concept of a (М + 1)-sequence generator is introduced. The possibility of transforming (M – 1)- and (M – 3)-sequences generators into (M + 1)-sequences generators is demonstrated. The proposed methods can be used to ensure the security of IoT devices. a – generator


In manufacturing industries the percentage of injuries that occur is higher than
other sector. Most of the injuries linked to the used of hand tools. The injuries may cause
from the poor design of the hand tools itself. This report presents the findings the
redesign an existing hand tools and making analysis on the ergonomics design of the
hand tools. By having fully understanding the ergonomics design of the hand tools and
CATIA software can be applied together to carry out the new designed which are more
safe and ergonomic hand tools. The existing and new design will be compare using
'RULA Analysis' module in CATIA. The particular strength of this research is to reduce
injuries in using hand tools by designing an ergonomically well-designed hand tools


This paper describes the design and development of a home automation system that links its component parts using Wi-Fi technology as the network architecture. Essentially, the proposed system comprises of just two parts. The server (web server), which regulates, coordinates, and keeps an eye on users' homes, is the crucial component because it houses the system's brain. Users and system administrators have local (LAN) and remote (Internet) access to manage and control system code (internet). The system supports a variety of home automation systems, including power management and security components. The suggested technique is more flexible and scalable than current home automation systems. Goal of the work is to utilize easily available electronics modules to implement a cost effective, Compact and efficient home automation project. We made a system which gives service at low cost compared to the cost of the on the market, there are a variety of home automation systems. and it is also very compact.


Even though of restraint on anthropogenic emissions, heavy metals may remain a major environmental threat at local, regional and worldwide level, due to their pervasiveness and non biodegradable nature. The aim of the present study was to biomonitor the concentration of Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni and Zn in fecal samples of pigeon collected from industrial regions of pink city, Rajasthan. Elemental composition of fecal samples was investigated by employing atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) after chemical digestion with concentrated HNO3. Pb, Cu, Ni and Zn were excreted in its lowest concentration in fecal samples from Mansarover industrial area while Cr was recorded lowest in Sitapura industrial area samples. Further, highest concentration of Pb was seen in fecal samples from Sanganer industries. However, greatest amount of Cr and Cu was present in fecal samples from Jhotwara area industrial and Vishwakarma industrial area has been observed with highest level of Ni and Zn concentration. Cd was not traceable in any of analyzed sample. This dissimilarity in levels of heavy metal pollution may be attributed to different level of environmental contaminants in studied areas due to different industrial setups. Considering the high concentrations of heavy metals in fecal matter of pigeon, we can say that there is still a danger for biota. Overall, present study suggests that pigeons may represent a good bioindicator for metal biomonitoring.


This article challenges the established convention in immigration policy scholarship of treating economic utility and identity maintenance as logically distinct concerns. Drawing on work by Weber, Wallerstein and Bourdieu, we argue that concerns about economic utility and identity maintenance interact in the immigration policies of Western liberal democratic states, leading to policies designed to build and maintain middle-class national status groups. Using the example of contemporary immigration policy in Germany, we illustrate how this impulse to build the middle-class status group affects immigrant inclusion/exclusion in nuanced ways at both the group and individual levels, along class/status, ethnic and gender lines. We conclude by considering the policy implications of growing and shaping populations according to middle-class ideals, particularly for the statistical monitoring of immigrant populations for integration benchmarking purposes.


PVDF is a highly explored polymer dielectric material with α-phase as paraelectric and β, γ and δ-phases as ferroelectric phases. We have investigated PVDF and its nanocomposite (PVDF/Hydroxylated-CeO2) using hydroxylated CeO2 nanoparticles (Hy-CeO2-NPs) as filler for dielectric energy storage applications. The chosen CeO2-NPs are semiconducting nanoparticles with sizes in the range of 15-20 nm. Pure and nanocomposite thick films were synthesized by solution cast method and characterized for structure, microstructure dielectric and ferroelectric properties. The X-ray diffraction analysis of the nanocomposite films reveals the formation of ferroelectric β, γ-phases and FESEM images show that the prepared films are defects free and homogenous. FTIR analysis is also done to identify the electroactive phase formation with improved ferroelectric polarization and energy storage density of the developed nanocomposites.


Recent work on high-temperature (> 600 °C) heat treatment of ingot Nb cavities in a customized vacuum furnace for several hours showed the possibility of achieving Q0-values of up to ~5×1010 at 2.0 K, 1.5 GHz and accelerating gradients of ~20 MV/m. This contribution presents results on further studies of the heat treatment process to produce cavities with high Q0 values for continuous-wave accelerator application. Single-cell cavities of different Nb purity have been processed through few cycles of heat-treatments and chemical etching. Measurements of Q0 as a function of temperature at low RF field and of Q0 as a function of the RF field at or below 2.0 K have been made after each treatment. Measurements by TOF-SIMS of the impurities depth profiles were made on samples heat treated with the cavities.


An operator formalism is developed which allows a convenient calculation of high field spin I = 1 solid state NMR powder spectra for the case that the spins are acted on not only electrically via an electric field gradient tensor but also magnetically via a shielding tensor. Examples of practical applications in the field of surface science are given.


The site at Kverrestad, southern Sweden, presented a mass destruction by fire that at first sight seemed most exotic within the Battle Axe culture. The large deposition and cremations of tools as well as humans are, as a combination, still unique, but the elements taken separately are well proven within the social context. The mass destruction by fire also includes a perspective into the past that linked the Battle Axe culture to phenomena within the Funnel Beaker culture several centuries before. The erection of palisade enclosures appears to be a link between the cultures.


These measures were all taken by myself, except the second, of the ash in Scotland; and that I believe is fair. As that is the largest ash, and as thriving as any I had seen, I was desirous to procure a second measure of it. The measures (where there was no impediment) were taken at five feet from the earth, as the easiest height to run the line even, and a fair height for the bulk of the body. For most trees (at least oaks and chesnuts) are frequently found to be one-third more in circumference at one foot than at five. Where I have measures of more than one tree of the same kind, I give the largest and a smaller, to show the different proportion of the increase of their different sizes: and as trees standing single generally increase more than those in groves, I mark them with an S. and a G. as the difference is more than would be expected by those that think little of trees. In 1719 I had about two acres sowed with acorns, and from 1729 to 1770 I planted oaks from this grove, always leaving the best plants standing for the future grove: but most of the transplanted trees are already larger than those that were not removed; the largest of which is now (1795) but five feet 6 inches 8 tenths in circumference; and the largest transplanted tree (which was planted in 1735) is 8 ft. 8 in. 7 tenths, viz. near 38 inches gained by transplanting in 60 years. And in beeches from seed, in 1733, the largest is now (1795) but 6 feet 9 inches; and the largest transplanted beech is 7 feet 5 inches 1 tenth, viz. 8 inches larger, although the transplanted beech is eight years younger than that from the seed. This proves that it is better to plant a grove, than to raise one from the seed. The expence of planting is inconsiderable, and the planted trees are full as good and handsome; and many years are saved, beside the extra growth of planted trees. But this extra growth will not prove near so great in groves as in single trees. The first grove I planted from these acorns of 1719, was in 1731. In 1732 I made another grove from them; and in 1735 I planted a third grove from them; and in 1753 the last considerable number of plants were taken from the grove, and these are very good trees: so 34 years may be saved. But I would by no means advise the planting trees so large, as the trouble and expence will be too much, unless where a shelter or screen is wanted.


A polycrystal sample La_(2/3)(Ca_(60)Ba_(40))_(1/3)MnO_3 was prepared by standard solid reaction method. Magnetization and magnetoresistance of the sample was measured between T=77K and 350K. The experimental results indicate that some correlations exist in the external field dependency of the magnetoresistance MR and M in the low and high magnetic field regions, which is explained by the tunneling magnetoresistance model and percolation model well.


Abstract Introduction: Insulinomas have an incidence of 1.5 to 2 per million people yearly.1 They most commonly occur as benign, solitary, and sporadic tumors. They are located exclusively in the p...


Simple Summary Canine hip dysplasia development results in femoral neck modeling and an increase in thickness. The main objective of this work was to describe a femoral neck thickness index to quantify femoral neck width and to study its association with the degree of canine hip dysplasia using the Fédération Cynologique Internationale scoring scheme. A total of 53 dogs (106 hips) were randomly selected for this study. Two examiners performed femoral neck thickness index estimation to study intra- and inter-examiner reliability and agreement. Statistical analysis tests showed excellent agreement and reliability between the measurements of the two examiners and the examiners' sessions. All joints were scored in five categories by an experienced examiner according to the Fédération Cynologique Internationale criteria, and the results from examiner 1 were compared between these categories. The comparison of mean femoral neck thickness index between hip dysplasia categories using the analysis of variance test showed significant differences between groups. These results show that femoral neck thickness index is a parameter capable of evaluating proximal femur bone modeling and that it has the potential to enrich conventional canine hip dysplasia scoring criteria if incorporated into a computer-aided diagnosis software. Abstract The alteration in the shape of the femoral neck is an important radiographic sign for scoring canine hip dysplasia (CHD). Previous studies have reported that the femoral neck thickness (FNT) is greater in dogs with hip joint dysplasia, becoming progressively thicker with disease severity. The main objective of this work was to describe a femoral neck thickness index (FNTi) to quantify FNT and to study its association with the degree of CHD using the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) scheme. A total of 53 dogs (106 hips) were randomly selected for this study. Two examiners performed FNTi estimation to study intra- and inter-examiner reliability and agreement. The paired t-test, the Bland-Altman plots, and the intraclass correlation coefficient showed excellent agreement and reliability between the measurements of the two examiners and the examiners' sessions. All joints were scored in five categories by an experienced examiner according to FCI criteria. The results from examiner 1 were compared between FCI categories. Hips that were assigned an FCI grade of A (n = 19), B (n = 23), C (n = 24), D (n = 24), and E (n = 16) had a mean ± standard deviation FNTi of 0.809 ± 0.024, 0.835 ± 0.044, 0.868 ± 0.022, 0.903 ± 0.033, and 0.923 ± 0.068, respectively (ANOVA, p < 0.05). Therefore, these results show that FNTi is a parameter capable of evaluating proximal femur bone modeling and that it has the potential to enrich conventional CHD scoring criteria if incorporated into a computer-aided diagnosis capable of detecting CHD.


We study the effects of cation inversion x (Mg  ↔ Al, with x representing the fraction of Mg and Al exchanged) and magnetic substitution (Mn  → Mg) on the elastic properties of the MgAl 2O 4 spinel system using density functional theory and Brillouin scattering techniques. Our computations show that cation inversion decreases the molar volume of spinel and produces a stiffening of C 11 and a softening of C 12. Simulations and experiments agree within 2 %. Density functional theory also captures the qualitative effect of Mg  ↔ Al on C 44, that is, an initial softening for inversion degree at x < 0.125 and stiffening at x = 1, with a disagreement of <4%. The Zener anisotropy factor A decreases with increasing degree of inversion. All these trends are preserved at high pressures. The substitution of Mn for Mg produces and increases the molar volume of spinel, and it is accompanied by the softening of both C 11 and C 44, and the stiffening of C 12 in good agreement with experimental results at ambient conditions. All these effects, which are qualitatively opposite to those of cation inversion, are enhanced at high pressures. The effect of Mn  → Mg on the elastic anisotropy of spinel is, however, qualitatively similar to that of cation inversion, i.e., it causes a decrease in the Zener factor A.We study the effects of cation inversion x (Mg  ↔ Al, with x representing the fraction of Mg and Al exchanged) and magnetic substitution (Mn  → Mg) on the elastic properties of the MgAl 2O 4 spinel system using density functional theory and Brillouin scattering techniques. Our computations show that cation inversion decreases the molar volume of spinel and produces a stiffening of C 11 and a softening of C 12. Simulations and experiments agree within 2 %. Density functional theory also captures the qualitative effect of Mg  ↔ Al on C 44, that is, an initial softening for inversion degree at x < 0.125 and stiffening at x = 1, with a disagreement of <4%. The Zener anisotropy factor A decreases with increasing degree of inversion. All these trends are preserved at high pressures. The substitution of Mn for Mg produces and increases the molar volume of spinel, and it is accompanied by the softening of both C 11 and C 44, and the stiffening of C 12 in good agreement with...


The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of corporate earnings, IFRS convergence, and tax planning on earnings management. This research includes descriptive research. The population in this study are state-owned companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange for the period 2012-2017. The sample in this study was determined by purposive sampling method and obtained 28 companies, samples within the period of 4 years of annual financial statements. The type of data used is secondary data. To determine the effect of independent variables with the dependent variable using the method of multiple regression analysis. The results of this study are firm size has a significant positive effect, IFRS convergence has a significant negative effect, and tax planning does not affect earnings management.

Keywords: Company Size, IFRS Convergence, Tax Planning and Profit Management.


A container 2 is provided including a first chamber 18 and at least a second chamber 20. At least one wall of the first and/or at least second chamber is formed from at least two spaced apart wall elements 30, 32. The container can be a vacuum unit for use in a sewage or waste collection system whereby at least one of the chambers is arranged to have a vacuum formed therein. The double wall feature may comprise of three dimensional shapes and/or strengthening means 34, 36 on an external wall of the two spaced apart wall elements. The chambers may be placed one on top of the other in a vertical stack arrangement with a partition 24 placed between the two chambers. The partition wall may comprise of an aperture or inlet/outlet means 44 to connect the two chambers in use. Supporting elements 38 can be included to join the outer and inner wall elements, these supporting elements may comprise of kiss offs. The container may comprise of one or more inlet/outlet means 16 arranged at spaced apart intervals around the periphery of a side wall.


Improved upper bounds on viscous energy dissipation rates of wall-driven shear flow subject to uniform injection and suction rates are computationally determined. The so-called "background" variational formulation is implemented via a time-stepping numerical scheme to determine optimal estimates. Shear flow Reynolds numbers range from 50 to 40 000 with injection angles up to 2°. The computed upper bounds for preselected angles of injection at high Reynolds numbers significantly improve the rigorously estimated ones. Our results suggest that the steady laminar flow is nonlinearly stable for angles of injection greater than 2°.Improved upper bounds on viscous energy dissipation rates of wall-driven shear flow subject to uniform injection and suction rates are computationally determined. The so-called "background" variational formulation is implemented via a time-stepping numerical scheme to determine optimal estimates. Shear flow Reynolds numbers range from 50 to 40 000 with injection angles up to 2°. The computed upper bounds for preselected angles of injection at high Reynolds numbers significantly improve the rigorously estimated ones. Our results suggest that the steady laminar flow is nonlinearly stable for angles of injection greater than 2°.


This work demonstrates the results of polymer flooding simulation at pore-scale level using digital rock analysis by means of the density functional method for representative core samples from the PK1-3 formation of the East-Messoyakhskoe oil field. Obtained results made it possible to estimate the key factors impacting the polymer solution efficiency and to determine the relative permeability curves and displacement efficiency at pore level. This allows to conduct a sensitivity analysis and provides recommendations for further development of the field.
 In the study, an increase in the displacement coefficient due to polymer flooding is observed in a wide range with a maximum of about 26% with respect to the baseline scenario of the water displacement. Furthermore, a decrease in the ratio of the viscosities of oil and displacement agent from 100/1 to approximately 3/1 led to a switch of the dominant physical mechanisms, from viscosity instability to velocity stripping.


The construction of a model of the gravitational-wave (GW) signal from generic configurations of spinning-black-hole binaries, through inspiral, merger and ringdown, is one of the most pressing theoretical problems in the build-up to the era of GW astronomy. We present such a model, "PhenomP", which captures the basic phenomenology of the seven-dimensional parameter space of binary configurations with only three physical parameters. Essentially, we simply "twist up" a twoparameter non-precessing-binary model with approximate expressions for the precessional motion, which require only one additional physical parameter, an effective precession spin. The model is constructed in the frequency domain, which will be essential for efficient GW searches and source measurements. We have tested the model's fidelity for GW applications by comparison against hybrid post-Newtonian–numerical-relativity waveforms at a variety of configurations — although we did not use these numerical simulations in the construction of the model. Our model can be used to develop GW searches, to study the implications for astrophysical measurements, and, perhaps most importantly, as a simple conceptual framework to form the basis of generic-binary waveform modelling in the advanced-detector era.


Concerns are growing about how societal resources are distributed in the United States and other countries. In this article, I argue that social domain theory (SDT), an approach within moral psychology, offers conceptual and methodological tools for addressing developmental changes in how individuals understand and morally evaluate the distribution of national resources. I summarize research indicating that American adults and adolescents underestimate actual levels of wealth inequality, while also sharing a consensus about ideal distribution of wealth that is far more equalitarian than their estimates of existing inequality. Then, I use several core features of SDT to examine age-related changes in how adolescents begin to integrate moral (e.g., fairness) and nonmoral (e.g., efficiency) considerations when they think about how to distribute wealth and other societal resources. The overall focus of this review is on identifying and beginning to examine the intersection of moral psychology, political philosophy, and economic trends.


The fluoroquinolones are broad-spectrum bactericidal agents inhibiting DNA synthesis. They are active against gram positive and gram negative organisms like P. aeruginosa, Mycoplasma, Chlamydia, Staphylococciand a few of theStreptococci.They are useful in the treatment of pneumonia, urinary tract infections, bacterial diarrhea, and skin and soft tissue infections. The use of quinolones began with its first generation that consisted of nalidixic acid . From that time, a large number of newer fluoroquinolones having a variety of structures and a broader spectrum of activity have been developed forming the five generations. The more number of fluoroquinolones develo ped and its widespread usage is attributed to its high bioavailability and tissue penetration. Moreover, the development of resistance to the most commonly used antibiotics has led to the need for alternatives. The various derivatives of fluoroquinolone ha ve varying levels of activity depending on the various groups attached at different positions. Generating a derivative with increased activity will help to reduce the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), thereby reducing the possibility of developing re sistance to it. This paper gives an overview of fluoroquinolones, their mechanism of action, their uses, resistance development and their adverse effects.


The remote diagnosis based on web-model provides a convenient method for the equipments fault diagnosis in the way oflong- distance, network, multi-expertcooperationand shared resource. A framework, function module and its pointsof remote fault diagnosis are analyzed, and the advantage of web-model-based remote fault diagnosis is indicated sufficiently. At last the development and appli- cation of the prototype system prove the technique is feasible and effective.


Audiology/Speech Pathology Section, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma During the past decade, we have witnessed the emergence, development, and refinement of the auditory brainstem response (ABR) to the level of a potent and valuable clinical tool. Several workers have documented the superb operating characteristics of this test and have shown that, among the myriad of auditory procedures, ABR has consistently demonstrated higher sensitivity and specificity. Consequently, it is presently considered a flagship auditory technique in the diagnostic arenas of audiology, neurotology, and neurology. Another development has concomitently taken place that has promulgated the impact statement of ABR into the surgical disciplines. That event, of course, is the use of intraoperative evoked potential (EP) measurements to monitor change in neural function related to surgical manuever, the rationale being that the use of EPs in the operating room assists in the avoidance of surgically related injury and subsequent postoperative deficit. The utilization of ABR for intraoperative monitoring is not surprising when one considers its well-documented diagnostic sensitivity to auditory disease.


SUMMARY Suppose that n of m cultivars are grown together in a mixture such as that found in intercropping investigations. Response model equations for n =2 are formulated in a manner akin to that found for a diallel crossing experiment in genetics. This situation varies considerably from diallel crossing in that n - 2 and yields may or may not be available for each member of the mixture. Response model equations are formulated and then minimal treatment designs obtained to derive least-squares solutions for the parameters of the model. This is done both when individual member yields are available and when they are not. Variances of estimable contrasts are also given. Applications to other areas of investigation are given with examples.


It is still being debated whether the motion of fluid follows the principle of minimum entropy production,the principle of the minimum rate of energy dissipation,or the principle of maximum entropy.This paper further analyzes the principle of the minimum rate of energy dissipation and the principle of minimum entropy production and clarifies some confusing issues based on thermodynamics theory.It is pointed out that the basic principles and concepts of thermodynamics can also be applied to the motion of fluid and that the motion of fluid follows the principle of minimum entropy production or the principle of the minimum rate of energy dissipation.


The interactive effects between a solar electric propulsion system and an electrically propelled scientific spacecraft were examined. The operation of the ion thrusters may impact upon the acquisition and interpretation of data by the science payload of the spacecraft. The effluents from the operation of the electric propulsion unit may also impact upon the operation of the various subsystems of the vehicle. Specific interactive effects were isolated where meaningful levels of interaction may occur. The level of impact upon elements of the science payload and other affected subsystems is examined, and avenues for the reduction or elimination of impact are defined.


Deep learning techniques are widely used to design robust classification models in several arias such as medical diagnosis tasks in which it achieves good performance. In recent years Pneumonia causes 15% of the total number of deaths in children under the age of 5. It can be caused by viruses, bacteria or fungi, which led the researchers to focus their studies on identifying pneumonia basing on Chest X-ray images, using deep learning techniques. In this paper, we propose a CNN model (Convolutional Neural Network) for the classification of Chest X-ray images. The proposed method is based on a non-complex CNN and without the use of transfer learning. Our proposed model uses fewer parameters and thus reduces the training time. In this study, and because of the low availability of data, we used the data augmentation method to eliminate overfitting and to improve the accuracy of the validation and classification of the model. The obtained results prove the efficiency of the proposed architecture compared with the state of the art methods.


In this paper we present Sarrif, our Arabic Morphology Parser, featuring a novel approach to the description of Arabic morphology with 2-tape finite state transducers, based on a particular and systematic use of the operation of composition in a way that allows for incremental substitutions of concatenated lexical morpheme specifications with their surface realization for non-concatenative processes (the case of Arabic templatic interdigitation and non-templatic circumfixation). We argue that: 1. the method of incremental substitutions through compositions allows for an elegant description of all main morphological processes present in natural languages including non-concatenative ones in strict finite-state terms, without the need to resort to extensions of any sort; 2. our approach allows for the most logical encoding of every kind of dependency, including traditional long-distance ones (mutual exclusiveness), circumfixations and idiosyncratic root and pattern combinations; 3. a smart usage of composition such as ours allows for the creation of a same system that can be easily accomodated to fulfil the duties of both a stemmer (or lexicon development tool) and a full-fledged lexical transducer.


An exterior insulation wall body with a mechanically anchored metal mesh reinforced polystyrene board is formed as follows: a metal mesh reinforced polystyrene board for heat insulation, by virtue of a leveling and binding layer, is bound on a base course wall body before the leveling and binding layer is dried, so as to achieve the functions of auxiliary connection and stabilization and ensure the flatness of the polystyrene board; then holes are formed on the board face, and the metal mesh reinforced polystyrene insulation board is directly fixed on the base course wall body via plastic expansion anchor bolts, so that the full load of the exterior insulation system is completely borne by the fixing anchor bolts and transmitted to the base course wall body; and the organic combination of the anchor bolts and the reinforced polystyrene board also achieves the function of auxiliary stabilization to the load of the leveling and binding layer of the wall body. Therefore, the exterior insulation wall body is especially applicable to the exterior insulation energy-saving improvement engineering of the existing exterior wall of the buildings, and can better solve the technical problems of poor bearing capacity of the old base layer of the exterior wall as well as difficult surface treatment.


The question, if and to what extent the Ukrainian nationalists murdered Jews in Volhynia and eastern Galicia during the Holocaust, has haunted Jewish and Ukrainian communities in various countries of the Western world during the entire Cold War. It also puzzled German historians of Eastern Europe and Nazi Germany. Historians, although in theory responsible for investigating and clarifying such difficult aspects of the past, have for various reasons not investigated them or they investigated only other aspects of the Holocaust in Ukraine. This article briefly explains how factions of the Ukrainian diaspora invented a narrative that portrayed Ukrainian nationalists as anti-German and anti-Soviet freedom fighters who did not kill or harm any Jews during the German occupation of Ukraine. In the next step, it shows how testimonies and other sorts of documents left by survivors from Volhynia and eastern Galicia can help historians understand the role that ordinary Ukrainians and the OUN and UPA played in the Shoah in western Ukraine. Finally, it asks why it took Ukrainian, German, Polish, Russian, and other historians so many years to investigate and comprehend the anti-Jewish violence of the Ukrainian nationalists, if relevant documents were collected and made accessible as early as in the middle 1940s.


Different matrix based resultant formulations use the support of the polynomials in a polynomial system in various ways for setting up resultant matrices for computing resultants. Every formulation suffers, however, from the fact that for most polynomial systems, the output is not a resultant, but rather a nontrivial multiple of the resultant, called a projection operator. It is shown that for the Dixon-based resultant methods, the degree of the projection operator of unmixed polynomial systems is determined by the support hull of the support of the polynomial system. This is similar to the property that the Newton polytope of a support determines the degree of the resultant for toric zeros.The support hull of a given support is similar to its convex hull (Newton polytope) except that instead of the Euclidean distance, the support hull is defined using relative quadrant (octant) position of points. The concept of a support hull interior point with respect to a support is defined. It is shown that for unmixed polynomial systems, generic inclusion of terms corresponding to support hull interior points does not change the size of the Dixon matrix (hence, the degree of the projection operator). The support hull of a support is the closure of the support with respect to support-interior points.The above results are shown to hold both for the generalized Dixon formulation as well as for Sylvester-type Dixon dialytic matrices constructed using the Dixon formulation.It is proved that for an unmixed polynomial system, the size of the Dixon matrix is less than or equal to the Minkowski sum of the alternating sums of the successive projections of the support of the polynomial system. This is a refinement of the result in Kapur and Saxena 1996 about the size of the Dixon matrix of a polynomial system, where it was shown that for the unmixed polynomial system, the size of the Dixon matrix is less than or equal to the Minkowski sum of the successive projection of the support.Many other combinatorial properties of the size of the Dixon matrix and the structure of the Dixon polynomial of a given polynomial system are related to the support hull of the polynomial system and their projections along different dimensions.This research is supported in part by NSF grant nos. CCR-0203051, CDA-9503064 and a grant from the Computer Science Research Institute at Sandia National Labs.


Industrial and agricultural buildings are one of the few typologies that have not been redeveloped or rethought architecturally. They seem to always be located away from our day to day lives and we usually have no reason to visit these buildings. However, as our approach to waste in big cities is changing globally, I believe it to be essential to involve the public in what happens to waste/recycling systems/the cleaning of environmental threats instead of moving this piece of education further away. The west side of Chicago serves as a test location for this thesis where the treatment of lead contaminated soil becomes a publicly accessible process.


Synopsis : In most of production planning problems, it is required to manage multiple objective functions. An autonomous decentralized planning algorithm has been developed to apply to multi-objective lot-making problems. The methodology is to improve multi-objective function values through iterative negotiation among the planning modules which represent individual objective functions. The idea of planning 'share' is introduced as the measure to adjust the priority of multiple objective functions. The proposed algorithm has been applied to the plate design problem in steel manufacturing process and its effectiveness has been shown.


This paper presents the results of tribological tests performed on a T-11 pin-ondisc type, which made it possible to determine the intensity of abrasive wear of * Bialystok University of Technology, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, ul. Wiejska 45C, 15-351 Białystok, Poland, e-mail: email@example.com, tel. 571 443 038. ** ML-Tech Sp. z o. o., Poland, e-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com, tel. 535 620 033. *** Bialystok University of Technology, Faculty of Management, Department of Production Management, Poland, e-mail: email@example.com, tel. 85 746 98 44. **** University of Technology in Warsaw, Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Mechanics, and Petrochemistry, Branch in Plock, Poland, e-mail: email@example.com, tel.(24) 367 21 15. T R I B O L O G I A 5-2016 184 steel 20MnCr5 subjected to selected thermo-chemical heat treatments. The tested steel, after the hardening and tempering process, is characterized by high endurance parameters and is used on heavily loaded machine parts. It is frequently used for elements subjected to intense abrasion. The analysis involved the following: carburizing, boronizing, and various methods of diffusion chromizing. For large loads, it is advisable to apply boronizing or carburizing with hardening. Chrome plating entails a very thin layer of increased hardness, which is characterised by a low abrasive wear resistance at high loads.


In this paper we develop a description of engineering practice. This description is based on published research on engineering work and on interview data from the engineering faculty. It was undertaken as part of a larger study that is underway at the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The study is looking at the relationship between how engineering is taught and how it is practiced.


Melittin spin-labeled specifi- cally with a nitroxide atpositions 7,21, 23,ortheaminoterminus was boundto phospholipid membranes,and the exposureofthespinlabel totheaque- ous phasewas investigated bymea- surement ofHeisenberg exchange with chromium oxalate inthesolution. The exchange frequency was determined bysaturation recoveryelectron para- magnetic resonance (EPR)usinga loop-gap resonator. Thismethodal- lowsuse ofverylowconcentrations (<1mM)ofchromium oxalate com- paredwith conventional measurements ofEPR linebroadening (typically 50 mM),thusavoiding problems asso- ciated withhighmetalionconcentra- tion.Differences inexchangefre- quencybetween thevarious positions were alsoestimated by continuous wave power saturation methods.In either approach, thespin label atlysine 7was found tobethemostexposed to chromiumoxalate whereasthatat lysine 23was foundtobetheleast exposed. Thisisconsistent witha modelforthemembraneboundpep- tideinwhichan amphiphilic helix lies withitsaxisparallel tothebilayer sur- faceandthehydrophobic moment points toward thebilayer interior.


The construction of curriculum standard is the main content of higher vocational education reform.Through the implementation of higher vocational education curriculum standard,it can increase teaching quality,and stands out higher vocational characteristics to realize the training objective for society to cultivate advanced skilled applicable talents faced with the first line of production and service.It should conduct construction from several aspects,including curriculum object,curriculum content and implementing suggestion for curriculum standard on project management of construction engineering in higher vocational construction and economic management major with the demand-orientation.


Hardware binary neural networks (BNNs) based on resistive random access memory (RRAM) are designed and investigated in this work. RRAM devices that work in binary mode are used as electronic synapses. The simulation results indicate that the designed BNNs can achieve an accuracy of 94% on the MNIST database, and show remarkable tolerance to non-ideal properties of RRAM-based electronic synapses.


Purpose: To compare corneal sensitivity and recovery of corneal innervations after a temporal clear corneal incision in cataract surgery. Methods: We measured changes to corneal sensitivity using Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer in 25 eyes of 20 patients and analyzed corneal nerve density with confocal microscopy in 20 eyes of 20 patients who had undergone cataract surgery. The parameters were measured before, and at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after cataract surgery. Results: The mean preoperative corneal sensitivity was 56.40±3.39 mm at the temporal corneal incision site, and there was a significantly decreased sensitivity of 29.80±2.69 mm and 42.40±4.36 mm postoperatively at 1 week and 1 month, respectively. Nonetheless, by three months, corneal sensitivity had returned to 56.00±2.89 mm and was not significantly different from measurements prior to the cataract surgery. The mean preoperative subbasal nerve density was 5296±1642 µm/mm2. After cataract surgery, the subbasal nerve density was significantly reduced to 4113±1421, 3555±1448, 4198±1239 µm/mm2 at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months, respectively. Conclusions: Corneal sensitivity after cataract surgery returned to near preoperative levels within 3 months before complete restoration of normal corneal innervations. Therefore, regeneration of subbasal nerve fibers (, as determined by confocal microscopy,) requires more time than the return of corneal sensation after cataract surgery.


We obtain improved distributed algorithms in the CONGEST message-passing setting for problems on power graphs of an input graph $G$. This includes Coloring, Maximal Independent Set, and related problems. We develop a general deterministic technique that transforms R-round algorithms for $G$ with certain properties into $O(R \cdot \Delta^{k/2 - 1})$-round algorithms for $G^k$. This improves the previously-known running time for such transformation, which was $O(R \cdot \Delta^{k - 1})$. Consequently, for problems that can be solved by algorithms with the required properties and within polylogarithmic number of rounds, we obtain {quadratic} improvement for $G^k$ and {exponential} improvement for $G^2$. We also obtain significant improvements for problems with larger number of rounds in $G$.


Objective To investigate the changing pattern of common bacterial pathogens and their resistance in the pediatric clinic in Beijing Children′s Hospital.MethodsAll the bacterial isolates isolated in our hospital from 2003 to 2008 were analyzed.Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by disk diffusion method and Phoenix 100 microbiological system.Results were analyzed according to the guidelines of CLSI.ResultsGram-negative bacteria became important pathogens of nosocomial infections.E.coli,P.aeruginosa and K.pneumoniae were the leading gram-negative pathogens.S.aureus,S.pneumoniae and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus(CNS) were common gram-positive pathogens.About 82.5% of the S.pneumoniae isolates were penicillin non-susceptible(PNSP).The prevalence of methicillin-resistant CNS(MRCNS) ranged from 79.8% to 92.7%.Up to 10.6% of the S.aureus isolates were methicillin-resistant(MRSA).No isolate of S.pneumoniae,S.aureus or Enterococcus was found resistant to vancomycin.The prevalence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase(ESBLs) producing strains ranged from 73.9% to 80.0% in E.coli and 70.5% to 81.5% in K.pneumoniae.The resistance rate of P.aeruginosa to imipenem and meropenem was 34.2% and 35.8%,respectively.About 3.3% of the A.baumannii isolates were resistant to carbapenems.ConclusionsThe clinical strains of CNS,S.pneumoniae,Enterococcus,E.coli and K.pneumoniae isolated from the pediatric clinic have shown high resistance to multiple antibiotics.The surveillance of antimicrobial resistance is very important for rational antimicrobial therapy and effective control of infections in pediatric clinic.


Alexa Proctor is an advanced practice student on clinical rotations with the Purdue University College of Pharmacy. In this article, she describes her experience working with Mental Health America (MHA) of Tippecanoe County and third grade children, in addition to her passion to help improve mental health in students of all ages. Student Introduction I am a fourth-year pharmacy student at Purdue University in the College of Pharmacy. After completing pharmacy didactic core courses and observing a psychiatric clinical pharmacist practice, I became interested in the specialty area of psychiatric pharmacy, and took additional elective courses in that area. I wanted to learn more about the treatment and prevention of mental health disorders and what I could do to spread awareness about mental health in the community. After searching for volunteer opportunities on the United Way Volunteer Center website (United Way of Greater Lafayette, n.d.), I discovered many opportunities to get involved with Mental Health America (MHA) of Tippecanoe County. I was specifically interested in MHA's "I'm Thumbody Special" program because I want to help educate children on mental health issues. Community Partner Description Mental Health America of Tippecanoe County, an affiliate of National Mental Health America, is a not-for-profit organization that provides a variety of benefits to the general public, including mental health education, information, and supportive services. Specific programs and services MHA offers include brown bag forums, mental health first aid training, suicide prevention training, support groups, a crisis center hotline, rape survivor advocacy, mental health screenings, and supportive housing. The purpose of MHA is to improve the mental health of Americans, prevent public stigmatization of mental health disorders, and advocate for the rights, including effective and fair treatment, of those with mental health challenges. MHA of Tippecanoe County is located in downtown Lafayette, Indiana, and is available to serve the entire community (Mental Health America of Tippecanoe, n.d.). Over 12 million Americans under the age of 18 will have a mental health disorder in a given year, with 50% of all lifetime mental health disorders beginning by age 14 (Mental Health America, n.d.a). The median age of onset for anxiety disorders is age 6, ADHD and behavior disorders age 11, and mood disorders age 13 (Mental Health America, n.d.a). MHA's "I'm Thumbody Special" is an hour-long mental health education and self-identity program created to address this problem. It is offered to Tippecanoe County third grade teachers to have presented to their students. The mission of "I'm Thumbody Special" is to demonstrate to children that they are as unique as their individual thumbprints. This program helps children value their own self-worth and have respect for others, since they are all special in their own way. The program also teaches students what mental health is and how it compares to physical health, the importance of self-identity, positive ways to express emotions, and to always respect themselves and others. To operate successfully, the "I'm Thumbody Special" program requires participation from local elementary schools, in addition to volunteers. The organization is primarily funded by United Way, with the costs of the program factored into the annual budget. Each child is supplied with locally printed materials, including a poster, magnet, sticker, and booklet. The classroom also receives a large poster with the students' thumbprints and a Thumbody pillow. These materials are assembled by volunteers, but the primary challenge of the program is finding enough volunteers. College students and retirees make up the majority of the volunteers due to their availability during elementary school hours. Pharmacy students are specifically well-suited to meet the needs of this organization, as they learn about mental health disorders during coursework and encounter similar issues with patients while on internships and during experiential learning. Mental health disorders are on the rise, with more than one in five adults prescribed at least one medication to treat psychological and behavioral disorders. These include antidepressants, anxiolytics, antipsychotics, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medications (Medco Health Solutions, 2011). Activities and Impact I applied to volunteer online and then interviewed with a volunteer coordinator. During the interview, they explained the volunteer opportunities available; I chose the "I'm Thumbody Special" program. I received an e-mail with a list of schools, dates, and times available to volunteer. I selected third grade classrooms at both Woodland Elementary and Amelia Earhart Elementary schools. An MHA presenter and I led the class through a series of activities outlined in a workbook provided to each student, while the teacher observed. We began the presentation with an academic portion that defined physical and mental health. The children were then allowed to share when they felt different emotions, which further identified how each of them is different from the others. Next the children watched a video called, "No One Quite Like Me . . . Or You," which shows that our differences are what make each of us special. During the video, the children put their thumbprints on a bookmark to take home and on a large poster for the classroom. The presentation ended with a reading of Eric Carle's The Mixed-Up Chameleon, which teaches the children that being yourself is the best way to be. The children then shared something that makes them "thumbody" special. Interested volunteers can submit an application to MHA of Tippecanoe online. Other volunteer opportunities within the organization include the Compeer Circle, Crisis Center Hotline, Joey Seaman Memorial Mental Health Library, and support groups. Reflection and Conclusion The "I'm Thumbody Special" program was an avenue to help me increase awareness of the fact that you can be sick in a nonphysical way, and stress the importance of mental health to children in our community. Children need someone they can look up to who is trustworthy and encourages them to be their unique selves— someone who helps them build self-esteem. During my volunteer work with MHA, I felt I showed them that I truly cared about their well-being and was there to help them. This program allowed me to apply my curricular skills to a real-life setting and showed me how important it is to always be empathetic when interacting with patients, no matter their age. I believe students in health care fields would make great volunteers for this program, since empathy is such an important trait to exhibit as health care practitioners. My involvement with MHA allowed me to see firsthand how common, but also how manageable, mental health conditions can be. Effective prevention, treatment, and management are possible, and we need to pay more attention to America's mental health, especially in our "I'm Thumbody Special" program booklet and sticker provided to the students. youth. Mental health issues are on the rise, including on college campuses. College students are especially at risk for stress, anxiety, and depression, which could lead to other health issues, such as alcohol and/or substance abuse. It is important to understand the early signs, symptoms, causes, and proper management of mental health disorders in order to promote a good quality of life (Mental Health America, n.d.b). My experience with MHA is very applicable to my future pharmacy career, as I will be more mindful of the mental health of my patients, coworkers, and even myself. . . . whether an illness affects your heart, your leg, or your brain, it's still an illness, and there should be no distinction. —Michelle Obama References Medco Health Solutions. (2011). America's state of mind. Retrieved from http:// apps.who.int/medicinedocs/documents/s19032en/s19032en.pdf Mental Health America. (n.d.a). Infographic back to school: Youth mental health 101. Retrieved from http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/conditions/infographic -back-school-youth-mental-health-101 Mental Health America. (n.d.b). Recognizing mental health problems in children. Retrieved from http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/recognizing-mental-health -problems-children Mental Health America of Tippecanoe. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www .mhatippecanoe.org/ United Way of Greater Lafayette. (n.d.). Volunteer United. Retrieved from http:// uwlafayettevolunteer.galaxydigital.com/


Methods for economic assessment, e.g., cost-benefit analysis, are often used in the rail sector to evaluate large infrastructure investments such as building new high-speed railway lines. With larger railway networks and aging infrastructure, these methods can also be used for maintenance planning decisions. In this paper, we focus on basic maintenance and the newly introduced concept of maintenance windows in Sweden. These are pre-allocated slots in the annual train timetable dedicated to performing, among others, periodic/frequent maintenance activities such as inspections, maintenance and repairs. To justify the pre-allocation of such windows, this study presents a method to find minimal utilization rates depending on window designs and traffic situations. Using a cost-benefit approach, the maintenance windows are assessed using a total social cost including maintenance work costs, loss in traffic production and reliability gains in future traffic. Based on a case study from the Southern main line in Sweden, we study the minimal utilization rate in different test scenarios, i.e., night or day shifts, asset degradation functions and designs of maintenance windows. The results show that lower utilization rates (5-50%) can be accepted during low-volume traffic or for partial closures, while higher utilization rates (50-90%) are required for full closures during high-volume traffic. Whether the rates are measured as share of used window time or share of utilized windows is less important, especially when higher utilization is required.


PURPOSE: To inhibit fertility in a woman by administering a compound of a specific formula as an active ingredient to a female human needing the compound. CONSTITUTION: This pharmaceutical composition contains a compound having the formula, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof as an active ingredient. The compound of the formula is obtained by protecting a benzo[b]thiophene having 6-hydroxy and 2-(4-hydroxyphenyl) as a starting raw material, acylating and subsequently removing the protecting group. The salt of the compound of the formula is high solubility, and is suitable for preparing as a solution or emulsion. COPYRIGHT: (C)1995,JPO


A statistical problem arises in estimating a variance component in an analysis of variance in various experimental designs when the estimate of the variance component becomes negative. Various authors [Hartely (1950), Link (1950), Patnaik (1950), Leslie and Brown (1966), Barlow et al. (1969), Pearson (1932, 1966) and Ahmad (1974, 1978)] have devised alternative methods to estimate variance that guarantee non-negative estimate of variance components. However, the distribution of the ratio of two ranges is restricted to two samples of unequal sizes. In this paper, an attempt has been made to extend Leslie and Brown (1966) F-test   LB F based on k samples of unequal sizes. The sampling distribution of ranges is derived based on k-samples of unequal sizes from a standard normal population. Since the integration is difficult to compute the critical regions, Monte Carlo procedure has been adopted. An example is given to compare it with Snedecor F-test   S F and LB F .


UNLABELLED
Infiltrating leukocyte population appears at the time of implantation in the endometrium of human and other mammals with hemochorial placentation. This leukocyte population is mainly composed of macrophages and typical granular lymphocytes CD56+ CD16-. 63 endometrial samples were studied using immunocytochemistry, before IVF and embryo transfer. We evaluated the sensibility for the assessment of immunological relevant infiltrating cells, of classical histopathologic examination compared with quantitation of leukocyte-common-antigen antibody immunostaining. 21 samples were thoroughly studied during proliferative phase.

RESULTS
The sensibility of classical histologic analysis for the semi-quantitative assessment of leukocyte population, even when performed by an experienced histopathologist, is only 62%. When leukocyte population during proliferative phase is dense, it is mainly composed of macrophages and CD56+ CD16- lymphocytes.

CONCLUSION
Immunological reaction already reported around the time of implantation may occur at other period of the menstrual cycle. Close mechanisms of the control and functions of this characteristic reaction remain to clarify.


Summary form only given. Medical practice is being rapidly redefined by market forces on one side and new technologies on the other. The shift from inpatient to outpatient surgery is a good example of this. Advances in procedural medicine will be built upon the core technologies of high speed computing, robotics, systems engineering, lasers, optics, imaging and biomedical engineering. These technologies cut across traditional disciplines and have the possibilities of making medical care better, safer and less expensive.


Abstract : An experimental investigation was conducted of laser welding of Navy ship construction materials. Bead-on-plate penetrations were formed in 1/4-in.- thick HY-130 steel, 1/16-in.-thick HY-180 steel, 1/8- and 1/4-in.-thick Ti-6Al- 4V titanium alloy and in 1/8-in.-thick 5456 aluminum alloy. Continuous carbon- dioxide laser power levels to 8 kW were used; welding speed was varied from 20 to 180 ipm in order to establish appropriate welding parameters. The bead-on- plate penetrations were initially screened by visual, metallographic, NDT and mechanical tests and then forwarded to NSSC for more detailed evaluation. The finished samples, which were 5 x 7 in. in size, exhibited excellent top and bottom surface bead characteristics and defect-free fusion zones.


Biennial program of controlled tooth brushing performed econdary school among junior schoolchildren from Minsk secondary school № 166 proved to be highly effective. Decrease in caries increment has been shown on the average up to 50%. No credible differences between remineralising defluorinated toothpastes or pastes enriched with aminofluoride (F = 500 ppm) and sodium fluoride (F = 1000 ppm) efficacy were found in this study. Credibility of the results was determined by comparison with similar study conducted on a bigger population of children. Though anti-caries effect of the same tooth-pastes in a bigger-scale study was lower — within 30%. Such difference can be explained by a different level of motivation and discipline of participants.


The Southern Alps Experiment is being mounted to study the influence of New Zealand's Southern Alps on local weather and climate. This paper describes these alpine influences and outlines proposed field and modeling experiments. Experiment goals include understanding and quantifying factors that govern the intensity and spatial distribution of heavy rainfall, the west to east distribution of precipitation across the mountains, and the intensity of lee wind storms and warming. Linked research will explore the use of deterministic rainfall models to predict river flows from mountain watersheds.


In the years 2019-2021 a significant step was made in terms of distance learning, which would have otherwise, in normal circumstances, taken several years. While the solutions applied were the best in the given situation, the question arises of what these solutions imply in terms of long-term, systematic changes. The presented research touches upon three key areas that characterize today's schools: motivation, atmosphere, and competences of teachers and teacher-training students. The starting point of this research is the premise that the pre-crisis digital competences are simply not good enough for today's situation, or for the near future. Research results show that such fast-tracked changes and the transition to distance education have led to a significant decrease in the motivation of both, teachers and students, that the general atmosphere has worsened, and that there is a significant decrease in competences to be perceived, especially with regard to social and communication competences. The research shows also that neither teachers nor students are sufficiently qualified to work in the society of the future, in society 5.0. What is needed are actual, real changes in the field of digital literacy and digital competences, also indicated in this research.
Keywords: digital literacy, digital competences 1.0, digital competences 2.0, science/technology/engineering literacy, society 5.0


Combined with wooden beam deflection limit is reached when the load is often less than the destruction of the limit load of engineering actual situation, based on the cross section of equivalent substitution principle, set up a wooden beam CFRP reinforcement design calculation formula of calculation results, the wooden beam reinforcement and reconstruction for the future of different load cases, the design of the CFRP amount needed.


This section describes the contraceptive intentions of women in 9 African countries following delivery with particular emphasis on postpartum sterilization. The % of women who planned to use contraception ranged from a high of 63.5% in Wad Medani Sudan to a low of 16% in Gisenyi Rwanda. Generally oral contraceptives were by far the most prevalent method of planned contraception accounting for at least 25% in each center. In only 2 centers (Zaire and Rwanda) was another method the IUD more prevalent followed by the pill. A range of 1% of women in Rwanda to almost 25% in Tarime Tanzania planned female sterilization (FS). Planned use of barrier methods and/or traditional methods e.g. rhythm was generally low. In every center women who did not want any more children were significantly more likely to report plans to use contraception than were women who desired more children. The % of women planning to contracept was much higher after than before the pregnancy. In some centers a high proportion of women did not adopt a modern contraceptive method. In only 2 centers over 50% of the women who wanted more children planned to contracept to space their next pregnancy. There is a need to encourage contraceptive use for birth spacing and to provide potential contraceptors with an appropriate method. Data on tubal ligations and hysterectomies performed before discharge are useful in gaining information about the demand for sterilization. Only in Zaire where unusual circumstances make it advisable to sterilize a high proportion of women for medical reasons was the proportion planning sterilization over 50%. In Rwanda and Mali it was well under 10%. An important finding is that the number of women who were actually sterilized was far lower than the number who reported they desired the operation. Lack of services and in some cases a bias against sterilization among hospital personnel are possible reasons for this.


The banking sector is undergoing significant changes recently at an international level, as a consequence of changes in the general economic status. Especially in our country, the need for adjusting the operation of credit institutions to adapt to the changing demands of their customer base is obvious.
The aim of this paper is to approach the issue of restructuring of banking networks, as they have arisen after mergers or acquisitions, aiming to optimal customer service at the lowest possible operating cost. To achieve the restructuring we propose two mathematical models of facility location, considering the problem on two different axes: firstly aiming at minimizing the cost and secondly at maximizing the demand covered with pre-given budget.
To solve the mathematical models we utilized data from a large banking group operating in Greece, focusing on existing established network within the Municipality of Patras. The empirical application showed a clear redundancy of the present network units and personnel, while models result in different solutions of facility location for each version of the problem. Whichever way used to approach the problem of restructuring, it seems that the results regarding the number of units and personnel converge, while ensuring a significant reduction in operating costs.


This thesis proposes a novel approach for the synthesis of delays for timed systems, in particular in the framework oftimed automata, a model for verifying real-time systems. Our approach relies on the following inverse method: given a reference valuation of the parameters, we synthesize a constraint on the parameters, guaranteeing the same timeabstract linear behavior as for the reference valuation. This gives a criterion of robustness to the system. By iterating this inverse method on various points of a bounded parameter domain, we are then able to partition the parametric space into good and bad zones, with respect to a given property one wants to verify. This gives a behavioral cartography of the system. This method extended to probabilistic systems allows to preserve minimum and maximum probabilities of reachability properties. We also present variants of the inverse method for directed weighted graphs and Markov Decision Processes. Several prototypes have been implemented; in particular, IMITATOR II implements the inverse method and the cartography for timed automata. It allowed us to synthesize parameter values for several case studies such as an abstract model of a memory circuit sold by the chipset manufacturer ST-Microelectronics, and various communication protocols.


CAUSES OF HIGHWAY ACCIDENTS ARE ANALYZED FROM THE ASPECTS OF GEOMETRIC DESIGN, STANDARDS, AND HIGHWAY SIGNS. ACCIDENT CAUSES IN THE AREA OF THE 70-S INTERCHANGE ON THE WASHINGTON BELTWAY WERE ANALYZED. THREE QUARTERS OF THE ACCIDENTS WERE CAUSED BY VEHICLES RUNNING THE ROAD, THE SINGLE CAR ACCIDENT. THREE QUARTERS OF THESE CARS LEAVING THE HIGHWAY HIT SOMETHING CAUSING HIGH IMPACT ACCIDENTS AND DEATH.


In order to determine the effect of axial streaming on the distribution of 15-µm microspheres, and hence its validity in studying intrarenal blood flow distribution, renal blood flow and intrarenal bl


Magnetic properties of garnet single crystals Er/sub 3/Fe/sub 5-x/Al/sub x/O/sub 12/ (z=0.35 and 0.55) are reported under high magnetic field up to 230 kOe in the 4 K-300 K temperature range. The compensation temperature T/sub comp/ is shifted to higher temperature for increasing Al content: T/sub comp/=80 K, 125 K and 152 K for z=0, 0.35 and 0.55 respectively. In the spontaneous state, the magnetic anisotropy is at most 5% in the 4 K-30 K temperature zone and weaker or absent at higher temperatures. [100] remains the "easy" axis for both Al contents. Using the Dionne-refined Neel model of ferrimagnetic garnets with Al/sup 3+/ ions located in tetrahedral sites, the calculated temperature dependences of the spontaneous magnetization are in good agreement with experimental values. The strongly field dependent magnetic anisotropy of the garnets is important (up to 20%) only at low temperature (T 150 kOe), the onset of the usual canted magnetic phase takes place for H applied parallel to the [111] crystallographic axis.


We'propose a new algorithm to obtain the color matching functions of any digital camera, with correct weights and white balance, from the relative scaling of their complete (3-D) spectral sensitivities obtained from real spectroradiometric data. Thanks to this algorithm, it is possible to predict the RGB digital levels of any digital camera in realistic illumination-scene environments-spatially non-uniform illumination field, variable chromaticity and large dynamic range of luminance levels-opening the possibility of transforming any digital camera into a tele-colorimeter. The illumination-scene test was the Macbeth ColorChecker Chart under three different light sources (halogen, metal halide and daylight fluorescent lamps), provided by a non-standard light box. The results confirmed that it is possible to predict any RGB digital levels exclusively by varying the f-number of the camera zoom lens.


We study the strong solution to the 3-D compressible Navier--Stokes equations. We propose a new blow up criterion for barotropic gases in terms of the integral norm of density $\rho$ and the divergence of the velocity $\bu$ without any restriction on the physical viscosity constants. Our blow up criteria can be seen as a partial realization of the underlying principle that the higher integrability implies the boundedness and then eventual regularity. We also present similar blow up criterion for the heat conducting gases.


Introduction: Each of the three Tharsis Montes volcanoes on Mars has an unusual fan-shaped deposit located exclusively to the northwest of each shield. The fan-shaped deposits of the Tharsis Montes generally share three major facies: 1) ridged facies, 2) knobby facies, and 3) smooth facies. Here we examine the Pavonis fan-shaped deposit using new Mars Global Surveyor and Mars Odyssey data. Any explanation for the origin of the fan-shaped deposits must take into account both the similarities and differences in their morphologies, their approximately similar Amazonian age, and the fact that all three occur on the westnorthwestern sides of the volcanoes [1]. Based on Viking Orbiter data, several models have been proposed for their formation, including landslides [2], glacial processes [3,4,5,6] and pyroclastic flows [6]. Williams [3] and Lucchitta [4] suggest that the fanshaped deposits consist of moraines deposited during recession of local ice caps that formed on the volcanoes from mixtures of emanated volatiles and erupted ash [4]. Scott et al [6] suggest an explanation combining glacial and volcanic processes. We have re-examined the fan-shaped deposits utilizing new data from Mars Global Surveyor (MOLA, MOC) and Mars Odyssey (THEMIS, GRS Suite). This analysis, together with an assessment of terrestrial analogs of cold-based glaciers [7] suggests that the Pavonis fan-shaped deposit was formed by cold-based glaciers that existed in recent Martian history. The Pavonis fan-shaped deposit (Figure 1) extends approximately 250 km northwest of the shield base along a N35°W trend [5]. The deposit ranges from 3.0-8.5 km above the Mars datum and covers an area of 75,000 km, approximately half of the area covered by the Arsia deposit. Ridged Facies: The ridged facies consists of a series of hundreds of concentric, parallel ridges around the distal margins of the deposit (Figure 1). The Pavonis ridged facies is characterized by a larger, 50100 m high outer ridge with smaller 5-30 m concentric, inner ridges. The ridged facies is also observed in the central regions fan-shaped deposit, with some inner ridges only 70 km from the base of the shield. This aspect of the ridged facies is unique to Pavonis, although the Arsia ridged facies do appear to continue beneath the knobby facies [7]. Based on their morphology, we interpret these ridges as drop moraines formed at the margins of a retreating cold-based glacier [7, 8]. The fact that these ridges can be seen in proximal regions of the fanshaped deposit suggests that at least one major phase of retreat and deposition occurred. In addition, the ridges are superposed without modification on underlying topography, including a lobate lava flow to the west. The fact that the ridged facies is observed up to elevations of 8.5 km above Mars datum on the northern flanks of Pavonis suggests that the proposed glacier covered a significant portion of the shield flanks.


The body of inquiry in the field of recreational sport management has continued to expand over the past decade; however, there have been few, if any, systematic evaluations of the body of knowledge in the field. The purpose of this paper was to conduct an integrative review of the research studies published in the Recreational Sports Journal (RSJ) to identify the themes and trends in recreational sports research since the journal's inception in 1998. Results of this review indicated that RSJ would benefit from more theoretically-driven, empirical studies, studies that move beyond examining participation motivations and constraints, and studies that employ more diverse and rigorous research methodologies. These findings, as well as others related to research methodology, sample size, and topic selection, provide a snapshot of the trends and gaps in the body of knowledge in recreational sport management, and have implications for future research efforts in the field.


Introduction: Appropriate complementary feeding is critical for the achievement of a healthy growth and development and mere survival of young children. Lack of appropriate breast-feeding and complementary feeding practice are the main cause of under nutrition. An estimated 32% of children under five years in developing countries are stunted and 10% are wasted. Objective: To assess timely initiation of complementary feeding practice and associated factors among mothers of children aged from 6 to 24 months living in Axum town, North Ethiopia. Methods: Community based cross- sectional study was conducted from April to May 2013. A sample of 422 subjects was selected by using systematic random sampling technique. Data were collected using pre-tested interviewer administered structured questionnaires. The data were cleaned, coded, entered in to EPI-INFO version 3.5.1, and transferred and analysed using SPSS version 20. Results: Out of 422 study participants, 223 (52.8%) have started complementary feeding practices to their child timely. Married women [AOR=2.490; 95% CI: (1.170, 5.301)] and attended ANC follow up [AOR=3.874; 95% CI: (1.805, 8.314)] were positively associated with timely initiation of complementary feeding. On the other hand, mothers whose husband cannot read and write [AOR=0.358; 95% CI :( 0.148, 0.863)], household size of 4-6 (AOR=0.34; 95%CI: 0.16, 0.74) and mothers who delivered at home (AOR=0.338; 95%CI: 0.12, 0.99) were negatively associated with timely initiation of complementary feeding. Conclusion and recommendation: Timely initiation of complementary feeding practice was relatively low in the study area. Mother's marital status, husband education, family size, mother's ANC follow-up, and mother's place of delivery were significantly associated with timely initiation of complementary feeding. Nutritional counseling, promoting ANC follow up, nutrition education & enhancing institution delivery were recommended to the concerned bodies.


Microwave heating was utilized in the preparation of amorphous Ni–B/SiO2 catalysts. After wetness impregnation with NiCl2 aqueous solution, the catalyst precursor was dried at 383 K, followed by microwave heating and KBH4 reduction. Liquid phase hydrogenation of acrylonitrile was employed as the probe reaction. While ICP, XRD, XPS and turnover frequency results did not reveal discernable structural and electronic differences between the active components of the catalysts with or without microwave heating, SEM uncovered the formation of smaller Ni–B alloy particles with microwave heating, leading to a higher concentration of active sites and greater thermal stability as verified by H2 chemisorption and DSC. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry


The focused of this study was the relationship of the development of gold thread
embroidery toward the birth of entrepreneurial spirit at coastal Minangkabau. The
existence of gold threads embroidery industry in the coast of Minangkabau, especially in
Kota Pariaman affected by geography and historical factors. The birth of the spirit of
entrepreneurship with embroidery business started from individual businesses (one man
enterprise) to family (family enterprise), and then developing into micro, small and
medium enterprise. Gold thread embroidery industry strongly contributed to the society
economically, socially and culturally. It appealed both local and international tourists.
The craft industry has become one of the cultural icons of tourism in West Sumatr


Effect of bivalent ions on a physical properties ofbilayer membranes (BLM) formed from zwitterion andacidic lipids was studied. The difference of Me dependence for these two lipids was obtained. The biological application of considered problem has been discussed.


DIRECT inspection of diseased tissues is the most generally helpful of diagnostic efforts. Years ago, the clinician found that proper management of many gastrointestinal problems requires direct inspection of the appropriate mucosal and serosal surfaces via endoscopy. After many years of serious effort to achieve effective mucosal visualization throughout the whole gastrointestinal tract, from top to bottom, the goal has now almost been reached. Anybody who reads a journal or goes to a meeting knows that these days the mucosal panorama from lips to Treitz' arch is open to view in almost any adult patient, whenever the clinician feels a need for the diagnostic information it can give. The question of whether the patient with gastrointestinal disease fares better these days, now that pangastrointestinal fiberoptic endoscopy has become so popular, cannot be answered as yet. Advances in medical instrumentation have never automatically meant advances in therapeutic effectiveness, but if eventually


The learning rate is a hyperparameter which determines how much the model should change concerning the error each time the model parameters are updated. It is important to tune the learning rate properly because if it is set too low, our model will converge very slowly and if set too high, our model may diverge from the optimal error point. Some conventional learning rate tuning techniques include constant learning rate, step decay, cyclical learning rate and many more. In this paper, we have implemented some of these techniques and compared the model performances gained using these techniques.


This paper presents a model for design and analysis of flutter-based microgenerators and a new concept for wind
energy harvesting using thin-film cantilever with coils embedded on the sides of the cantilever. The analytical model
predicts the flow-induced response of the thin-film cantilever at various parameters as well as the frequency of flutter at a
wind speed which is crucial for designing a flutter based microgenerator. A complete analytical model unites various
physics involved, flow induced forces on the cantilever, mechanical vibrations, electromagnetic coupling, and electric
power output. The flutter frequency predicted by the analytical model is verified against finite element analysis using
NASTRAN. The effect of span, width of the cantilever, length of coil on the cantilever and load resistance is investigated
on the performance of the harvester. The results predicted by the analytical model agree reasonably well with the finite
element analysis results paving way of using such an analytical model to design and optimize a fluttering wind energy
harvester.


Abstract Purpose In powder compaction on rotary tablet presses, the addition of a lubricant is normally mandatory. However, the typical internal lubrication method tends toward overlubrication, resulting in an alteration of the critical quality attributes of the product. In this study, the feasibility of an external lubrication system only using electrostatics for the application was investigated. Methods Three well-established lubricants were analyzed regarding their ability to accumulate and retain charge. In subsequent tableting experiments, the impact of different lubrication methods on critical quality attributes and process parameters was investigated. Results Due to material characteristics, the charge on magnesium stearate particles was most stable over time. The application of this lubricant on the punches via external lubrication with electrostatic forces resulted in a significant reduction of the ejection forces. Furthermore, the tensile strength of the tablets produced in these trials was significantly higher compared to tablets that were produced with internal lubrication. Conclusion The external lubrication method with an electrostatically charged lubricant is a promising method for reducing both the necessary amount of lubricant and the impact of the lubricant on the product. Graphical Abstract


A theoretical relation correlating particle size and refractive index with diffuse reflectance of particulate system is proposed. Fundamental optical and morphological parameters of particulate systems are determined. Colourimetric curves of seven single component and fifteen binary/ternary mixtures are experimentally measured and compared with predicted curves determined using proposed relation. Overall performance evaluation of the theoretical formulation is made by determining colour difference between measured and calculated curves. Results show that the proposed method satisfactorily work to assess the colourimetric curves of particulate matter. The theoretical technique will be useful to study the colour change due to variation in size in pigment dispersions or chemical powders.


ABSTRACT Membrane adsorption purolit has been made from polymer chitosan and particulate purolite with composition 3%(w/v) chitosan, 15%(v/v) dimethyl formamide and 60% adsorbent in this research. The characterization result of membrane indicates that the membrane have 42.84% of porosity, 74.95% of swelling degree and 258.4 L/m2h water flux. Samples of crude biodiesel contains glycerol amounted to 0.61%-b. The membrane adsorption test value of glycerol in biodiesel is 63.93%, glycerol that contained in biodiesel has been adsorbed for 60 minutes by the membrane and glycerol remaining is 0.23%-b. The results indicated that the glycerol content meets quality standards. Regeneration of membrane by methanol can reduce the value of glycerol until 54.09% and by ethanol is 18.03%. These results indicated that methanol solvent is better than ethanol solvent in regenerating membrane. The adsorption membrane that has been regenerated can be reused to reduce the value of glycerol in biodiesel. Key words: biodiesel, chitosan, purolit, membrane, adsorption, glycerol.


Moments that elicit feelings of a "fresh start" have been shown to spur goal initiation. However, successful goal pursuit requires not only goal initiation but also persistent effort investment. Wh...


An improved SDS method was employed to extract genomic DNA from young leaves of transgenic sugarcane. The result showed that the total DNA extracted by this method was suitable to PCR analysis for transgenic sugarcane.


Deployment of Renewable Energy (RE) is considered a vital initiative to control carbon emissions by avoiding fossil fuel consumption. Depletion of natural resources and environmental issues like climate change have forced global energy strategists to focus on sustainable energy practices. Based on data collected during this review process, it is evidently concluded that RE cannot be considered a reliable source yet as suggested by 93% of the reviewed studies. The identified solutions are forecasting and storage system (43%); smart grids with curtailment, peak shaving and power smoothing for grid stability (43%); and hybrid RE grids with extensive transmission and distribution. Also, grid related solutions are suggested by 31% of studies, which are grid integrated storage options and interconnected micro girds for power regulation and management. Storage enhancement techniques like battery storage and electric vehicle based domestic storage for power compensation during low power generation and for back-up purposes is proposed by 25% of reviewed articles. Lastly, algorithm integrated forecasting system for smart management and resource distribution are supported by 18% of analyzed studies. Implementation of these solutions can improve the chances of achieving a 100% renewable national grid without a conventional energy backup within next few years


Based on the catalytic effects of trace formaldehyde on the reaction between potassium bromate and oxidized azur A,a new catalytic spectrophotometric method has been developed in this paper.The detection limit is 0.019 mg/L with linear range of 0.045~0.56 mg/L.The RSD(relative standard deviation)is 0.38%.This method has been applied for the detection of trace formaldehyde in disposable paper cups.The results showed that the paper cups can be used safely,with little formalde- hyde content.


Is the financial performance of Nigerian companies really improving? If so, what about the operational efficiency of these firms? Though profits are on the rise, can these companies possibly be efficient, in spite of the problems inherent in the economy? In order to answer these questions, this study uses four different panel unit root tests to establish the stationarity of financial performance and operational efficiency in Nigeria, using one key performance variable (i.e. profit after tax) and three efficiency variables (i.e. return on assets ratio, asset turn ratio and portfolio activity & resilience) with a cross section of the 20 most quoted companies on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. The study shows that profit after tax is non-stationary while return on assets, portfolio activity & resilience and asset turn ratio are stationary. In other words, while financial performance (measured as profit after tax) is improving in Nigeria, operational efficiency (measured as return on assets, portfolio activity & resilience and asset turn ratio) is stagnant. What this means is that while corporate profits are on the rise, the companies are not operationally efficient.


An aluminium deuteride band at 2187 A has been observed and analysed. The analysis showed that the band is analogous to the (1, 0) band of AlH at 2173 A belonging to the 2229 A system. The following rotational constants are calculated: Bν' = 3.162 cm-1 Dν' = 1.53 × 10-4 cm-1 Bν" = 3.283 cm-1 Dν" = 0.97 × 10-4 cm-1 ν0 = 45 639.41 cm-1.


To the Editor.— It is of interest to note that the authors of "Surgeons in the United States" (236:1864, 1976) compared the incomes of surgeons "to the incomes of other professionals requiring long periods of postbaccalaureate training, as for example attorneys ($22,200 per year) and university faculty members ($20,000 per year.)" Attorneys and faculty members deserve credit for their efforts, but to compare their three to five years of postbaccalaureate study to the ten years of postbaccalaureate training of a neurosurgeon or thoracic surgeon is ludicrous. I am not a surgeon; however, I spent a short time in a surgical program and it was not unusual for those in training to work 100-hour weeks, to lose large amounts of weight, and to literally have their family life destroyed during the latter years of training.


Startling advances in public health contrasted with some less favorable developments during the 1970s, but the general trend was one of progress, including progress with some problems of major public health significance. Immunization Prevention of infectious diseases through immunization has always been a primary aim in public health. During the 1970s a strong effort by workers of many nations, which was spearheaded by some imaginative and energetic US epidemiologists, combined a decades-old vaccine, an approach emphasizing outbreak control and interruption of transmission, and improvements in vaccination techniques to produce for the first time the worldwide eradication of an infectious disease, smallpox. 1,2 There were other important developments concerning immunizing agents: Rho(D) immune globulin was licensed in 1968, and from 1970 to 1977, Rh hemolytic disease of the newborn decreased in the United States from 41 cases per 10,000 births to 19 cases per 10,000 births, a decline of 54%. 3


The ability of microorganisms to sense and adapt to changes in the environment is essential to their survival. This is particularly important for species with an intimate association with host organisms, such as pathogens, symbionts, and commensals. Host environments vary greatly in pH, ranging from highly acidic in the stomach (pH< 2) to mildly acidic on the skin and plant surfaces (6.5 < pH < 4.5), neutral in the blood (pH 7.4), and basic in parts of the intestine (pH< 8.5) [1–4], and fungi have developed multiple mechanisms to adapt to pH variations. This Pearl will focus on the ability of pathogenic fungi to respond to and actively modulate the host's pH.


As an indispensable resource for emotion analysis, emotion lexicons have attracted increasing attention in recent years. Most existing methods focus on capturing the single emotional effect of words rather than the emotion distributions which are helpful to model multiple complex emotions in a subjective text. Meanwhile, automatic lexicon building methods are overly dependent on seed words but neglect the effect of emoticons which are natural graphical labels of fine-grained emotion. In this paper, we propose a novel emotion lexicon building framework that leverages both seed words and emoticons simultaneously to capture emotion distributions of candidate words more accurately. Our method overcomes the weakness of existing methods by combining the effects of both seed words and emoticons in a unified three-layer heterogeneous graph, in which a multi-label random walk (MLRW) algorithm is performed to strengthen the emotion distribution estimation. Experimental results on real-world data reveal that our constructed emotion lexicon achieves promising results for emotion classification compared to the state-of-the-art lexicons.


Delirium after cardiac surgery is a common and short-lived event, but a new study has found it is associated with enduring cognitive impairment.


We have constructed a mechanochemical model for the V-ATPase that predicts proton pumping rates over a wide range of environmental conditions. We have used this model to determine the acidification of organelles. The conventional paradigm for active transmembrane ion transport is the "alternating access" mechanism: ions are bound tightly on the low concentration side of the membrane and a conformational change exposes them to the high concentration side and weakens their binding affinity so that they dissociate. The pump then resets its conformation to repeat the cycle (Eisenberg and Hill, 1985; Alberts et al., 1994). The energy to drive the cycle is supplied by nucleotide hydrolysis or an ion gradient. The Na-K-ATPase conforms to this traditional view of alternating access (see below); however, the conformational change in the V-ATPase is a simple rotation. In our computations here, we assume that the V-ATPase is working under normal operating conditions and that ATP concentrations are sufficiently high that hydrolysis is not rate limiting. By analogy with the F-ATPases, the V-ATPase structure is conventionally divided into a counter-rotating "stator" and "rotor" (Boekema et al., 1997; Finbow and Harrison, 1997; Forgac, 2000). Hydrolysis of ATP in the V1-soluble headpiece provides the torque that rotates the membrane-bound section Vo. Two models have been suggested for the rotor–stator assemblies: a two-channel model and a one-channel model (Vik and Antonio, 1994; Junge et al., 1997; Elston et al., 1998; Grabe et al., 2000). They differ in the path that the protons take through the enzyme and in the degree to which protons bound to the rotor section communicate with the cytoplasm. There is significant debate about the true structure of the channel in the Vand F-ATPase enzymes. We have shown that both channels behave similarly within the context of our mechanochemical model (Dimroth et al., 1999; Grabe et al., 2000). More recently, experiments on sodium V-ATPases strongly support the one channel model (Murata et al., 2000). There-


Background:At the end of life, most people would choose to stay and die at home. However, over half of all deaths take place at an acute care hospital due to lack of services to support coping at home during the terminal stage. Objective:To explore strategies used for promoting linkage of palliative care from hospital to home in Northern Thailand. Methods:A descriptive study collected data on symptom management and management support for terminal stage patients at home. Three tertiary hospitals, two community hospitals, one health promotion hospital, and one local administrative office in Northern Thailand were chosen to represent settings where hospital-based and community-based palliative care services were provided. Focus groups and in-depth interviews were utilized with hospitalized and stay-at-home patients diagnosed with advanced cancer, caregivers, health care providers, and senior executive managing directors. Results:Symptom management, especially pain and dyspnea at home, is inadequate and inappropriate. Physicians in general and community hospitals commonly prescribed controlled-release and intermediate-release oral morphine to in-home patients. Transdermal fentanyl and injectable morphine were less available in community hospitals. In terms of management support, some physicians utilized diagnosis code Z51.5 for palliative care which allowed patients to receive a comprehensive benefits package under the universal coverage scheme that included oxygen therapy, pain management and wound care within 30 days of discharge. Only a few general and community hospitals set up specialty palliative care clinics with palliative care managers. Also, few support staff received training to strengthen their capacity to manage palliative care and provide better care services. Both short (2–3 days) and intermediate (6–16 weeks) courses are available. The referral system was not properly managed to assure continuity of care. Conclusion:Findings have significant implications for policy-makers and health care professionals to improve quality of palliative care.


BACKGROUND
Penetrating cardiac injuries are rare but represent a high mortality. Early recognition of the injury and rapid intervention are necessary. We analyzed the characteristics of patients with penetrating injury and the factors affecting the outcome, including the experience of the general surgeon.

METHODS
Twenty-three patients suffering penetrating cardiac injury were retrospectively evaluated in the Istanbul Okmeydanı Training and Research Hospital, Department of General Surgery between 1995 and 2009. Patients with no sign of life on admission were excluded.

RESULTS
All patients were male, and the median age was 25 years. Fifteen patients had left ventricular, 4 had right ventricular and 4 had right atrial injuries; in addition, 2 patients had accompanying intra-abdominal injuries. No coronary vascular injury was reported, and pericardial tamponade did not statistically influence the outcome. Ten of 23 patients suffering of penetrating cardiac injury were lost, and in 6 of the 10 cases, the patient represented the first experience for the operating surgeon.

CONCLUSION
The characteristics of the penetrating cardiac injuries seen in our institution are consistent with the literature. However, we believe that the surgeon's experience is another prognostic factor. Dedicated level 1 emergency services and trained trauma surgeons are invaluable.


E-commerce develops rapidly driven by information technology. The order-driven production with many varieties of small batch is prevalent in the supply chain of electricity business. However, high product variety and quick response, especially delivery on time, are always conflicting. Considering the agile supply chain's characteristics of e-business, an assemble-to-order system with a tandem queuing network in a cyclic changing environment is modeled basing on QBD (Quasi Birth and Death Process) theory. Considering the loss of delay delivery risk, a numerical analysis is used to search for the best lead time for e-suppliers.


To deal with the problems concerning the shore boundary, moving boundary and engineering boundary which are encountered frequently in 2D tidal current simulation by the finite difference method, the concept of line boundary is introduced and studied here, and then the line boundary technique in common use is proposed in this paper. Analysis of some calculation cases shows that this technique is practical, effective, and simple in 2D tidal current simulation involving different boundaries.


: Influence of a mutation to improve the undesirable traits (shattering, red caryopsis etc.) of wild rice O. longistaminata while preserving its useful genes by radiation 20 Kr gamma rays from 60Co was studied. The mutants issued this irradiation were crossed with the interspecific variety SIK385-b-42-28-28 ( O. glaberrima x O. sativa ). Irradiation followed by crossing with interspecific variety generated a large genetic variability, in the subsequent generations, in plant height, maturity, non-shattering grain, kernel colour, spikelets fertility, panicle length, and grain size. This has resulted in identification of promising mutants which possess all the traits of cultivated rice O. sativa (white kernel, non-shattering grain, secondary branchies etc.). During 2012 rainy season, nineteen selected mutants from M5 and M7 generations were evaluated for yield potential in replicated trials at Longorola station.